Little Brother: The Chittlin Circuit 1.5 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Little Brother is a North Carolina based rap trio consisting of MCs, Phonte, Big Pooh and producer 9th Wonder. Jay-Z loyalists will remember 9th Wonder from his memorable interpolation of R Kelly's "A Woman's Threat" on the track, "Threat," from Jay's Black ... full story
Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 2 "Every girl's gotta go through it, every man's gotta go through it, it's this thing called love," Keyshia Cole says on "Love, I Thought You Had My Back." This is the general theme for Cole's debut, The Way It Is. A history of tumultuous relationships provides ... full story
B.G.: Heart Of Tha Streetz Vol. 1 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 CEO of Chopper City Records, B.G., is back for more with his latest album, Heart Of Tha Streetz, Vol. 1. The former Cash Money Hot Boy, who has already sold seven million records from his last eight albums, hopes to reach similar achievements -- proving that ... full story
AKIR: Legacy 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 As corporate America embraces commercial rap and uses it to spew capitalist propaganda, it shies away from unconventional music with a message. Luckily, Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" hasn't yet proven prophetic, and nonconformist beliefs can still find an ... full story
Josh Martinez: Midriff Music 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Despite 50 Cent's assertions in 2003, summertime isn't the killing season everywhere. For many suburbanites -- the majority of rap music's purchasing audience -- the months of June, July and August embody laid-back, carefree living. With his latest album, ... full story
J-Live: The Hear After 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 J-Live's fourth album, The Hear After, exudes a feel good, inner city ambiance reflective of the rapper's New York upbringing. The J in J-Live seems to stand for Joe, as in the average Joe, showcased by the Brooklyn native's brand of hip-hop through the eyes ... full story
Memphis Bleek: 534 3.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Flowing fresh out of the oven with his fourth solo effort, Memphis Bleek's new album, 534, is blessed by one of the sweetest songs of the summer with the help of Jay-Z. "Dear Summer" has become an anthem, yet the album fails to follow through with the single, ... full story
Fat Joe: All Or Nothing 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 With 12 strong years in the game under his belt, its "Safe 2 Say" that Fat Joe the Don is at a point in his career where he's moved all the chips to the center of the table, in a bold and deliberate All Or Nothing move.After enduring a title change and being ... full story
Cassidy: I'm A Hustla 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 2 Cassidy's got a hella uncertain future ahead of him. After rave reviews following his victorious battle with Freeway, all hip-hop heads turned to Barry Reese to deliver something the game had been missing since the likes of Big Daddy Kane, Rakim and Nas in ... full story
Afu-Ra: State Of The Arts 2.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 When Afu-Ra first made noise in the underground circuit, it was by way of his "Whirlwind Thru Cities" 12", which boasted production from DJ Premier. It was Afu-Ra over Primo beats that boosted his performance, as Primo always seemed to give Afu nothing but ... full story
Young Gunz: Brothers From Another 3.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 The Young Gunz feel the pressure. While their debut album, Tough Luv, exceeded expectations and proved the duo was capable of making a great album, unfortunately the album failed to go platinum. A gold plaque would be more than enough to satisfy most groups, ... full story
L.J.'s: Likwit Junkies 3.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 When Defari first started to got some shine nationally, it was by way of cameo on Xzibit's 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz album over the track "Handle Your Business." Add 2 solo albums to his name, and the Inglewood native paired up with The Dilated Junkie himself, ... full story
Pretty Ricky: Bluestars 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 3 With the recent mundane-ness that the music business has fell a victim to, the game is in crucial need of performers who bring something different to the table. Luckily rappers Spectacular, Diamond, Slick and singer Pleasure bka Pretty Ricky have heard the ... full story
Common: BE 4.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 The term classic is thrown around a lot by critics and fans alike. However, Common's sixth album, BE, comes close to achieving such a feat. With Kanye West as executive producer of the album, Common has put behind the days of Electric Circus, and instead refocused ... full story
Faith Evans: The First Lady 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Faith Evans weathered many storms before emerging from under slain husband Notorious B.I.G.'s shadow to obtain a foothold in the industry as a well-respected R&B singer. Her collaborations with Jay-Z, Eric Benet and Talib Kweli lead to the Grammy-nominated ... full story
Features T.I.: Still The King Of The South This year has been tough for the King of the South, but a true survivor knows how to fall and get back up again. He's ... full story
Beyond Hip-Hop Shopping Guide: August 2008 Here's our August installment of the shopping guide for all your avid BallerStatus.com visitors who love the newest ... full story
